This documentary delves into the history of naval warfare during World War II, specifically focusing on the battleships and their role in the conflict. Through a mix of archival footage and expert analysis, viewers are taken on a journey through some of the most significant battles of the war, highlighting the pivotal role that battleships played in the early stages of the conflict.
The documentary begins with the German U-boat attack on the British battleship ROYAL OAK at Scapa Flow, which marked the first major naval engagement of the war. From there, it explores the Battle of The River, the sinking of the British battle cruiser HMS HOOD by the German battleship BISMARCK, and the subsequent sinking of the BISMARCK by British forces.
Throughout the documentary, the vulnerability of battleships to air attack is highlighted, particularly through the successful torpedo attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto by British carrier-based Swordfish aircraft. This attack demonstrated the importance of air power in modern naval warfare and ultimately influenced the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
The latter half of the documentary focuses on the Pacific theater of the war, where battleships played a secondary role to the mighty aircraft carriers and their airborne firepower. The documentary explores the great naval battles between the Japanese imperial navy and the US military juggernaut, with battleships serving as a support vessel for the aircraft carriers and their bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighter aircraft.
Overall, “The Battleships – Terror From Above” provides a fascinating look into the role of battleships in World War II and their eventual displacement by aircraft carriers as the primary weapon of naval warfare. The expert analysis and archival footage combine to create a gripping narrative that will engage both history buffs and casual viewers alike.
